Tropical Storm Bertha Approaches Gulf Coast, Beaches Closed
Tropical Storm Bertha is advancing toward the Gulf Coast, prompting closures of beaches and distribution of sandbags across affected areas. The storm is expected to make landfall southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana, on Wednesday night, with wind being the primary threat. As of early Wednesday, Bertha was located approximately 145 miles west-southwest of Panama City, Florida, and 75 miles east of the Mississippi River's mouth, moving west at 6 mph with sustained winds of 50 mph. A tropical storm warning is in effect from Bay and Gulf counties in Florida to Morgan City, Louisiana, including metropolitan New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain. Rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is forecast across western Florida to southern Louisiana, with localized higher amounts potentially causing flash flooding. Storm surges of up to 4 feet are expected in Louisiana, with smaller surges in Florida and Alabama. 
